The research collaboration project, ITRealms gathered will carry
out over a five-year period.
Research will focus on composites with enhanced performance in
the field of mechanical, electric conductive and thermal conductive behaviour,
as well as the compatibility of graphene and the matrix materials. In aerospace
this might lead to applications of graphene in different materials and
components, with weight saving accompanied by better performance.
As well as aircraft, the research could have an impact on
high-speed trains and industrial equipment to replace traditional materials.
The deal is due to be announced today on the opening morning of
the European Science Open Forum in Manchester by Professor Robert Young, who
leads the research project at The University of Manchester.
Speaking at a session called ’Science
and Aviation’, organised in partnership with Manchester Airport and
Hainan Airlines, Professor Young is due to outline how graphene could
revolutionise the planes and trains of the future.
The announcement is being delivered in parallel to a senior
delegation from Manchester – including one of the Nobel-prize winning
scientists who isolated graphene – being in Beijing to promote the city and as
world-leading destination for inward investment and tourism.
Graphene has been included in the latest Chinese five-year plan
and the country is starting to develop their domestic civil aerospace industry
and expect to improve their expertise on materials.
The project, which will run until 2020, will involve joint
research on graphene projects, strengthening of the ties in graphene technology
and the exchange of personnel between Beijing and Manchester.
The partnership is an extension of a project started last year,
which is looking at creating graphene composites with metals such as aluminium.
The success of the partnership led to this much wider, extended project.
It is also expected that other UK companies, particularly in
aerospace, may become directly involved as the projects progress.
Dr Shaojiu Yan, the principal investigator of graphene projects
from BIAM, said: ”The relationship between BIAM and The University of
Manchester warms up quickly.
“We had a very good communication on the first collaborative
project. Now a long term partnership would benefit us to broaden the research
area on graphene materials, to enhance the collaborative research, as well as
to exchange experience and expertise on graphene.”
Professor Young said that BIAM has a rapidly developing research
programme on graphene composites and we are looking forward to pooling our expertise
with them to facilitate the use of these materials in aerospace
applications”.
Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said it is firmly established that Manchester has many distinctive strengths
which make the city - and help make the North of England as a whole -
competitive on the international stage.
"This partnership with the Beijing Institute of
Aeronautical Materials will not only go a long way towards finding hugely
significant commercial applications for graphene research, it will further
strengthen ties between Manchester and China - ties which are ever more
important as China emerges as a key player in the global economy. It is another
vote of confidence in Manchester,” he said.
Hainan Airlines launched the first ever non-stop flight service
from anywhere outside of London to mainland China in June and the route is
tipped to help forge even closer academic and business links between Manchester
and the Far East in the months and years to come.
Ken O'Toole, CEO of Manchester Airport, said: "Links
between Manchester and China have never been stronger and this partnership is
the perfect example of how international connectivity can drive collaboration
and innovation.
"Science is an important sector for Manchester and we are
committed to playing a key role in driving its growth by linking this city with
key markets around the world.
"The launch of Hainan Airlines' direct service to Beijing
has already made a significant contribution to forging closer ties between
Manchester and China and we look forward to developing the relationship
further."
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